Not a lot of people come home to a mudroom or a huge entry way that can meet all of the needs of a growing family. I’m sure I’m not the only one fumbling away in a small foyer with piles of things. Which is why I thought I’d spend some time today chatting about how to maximize storage solutions for a small entryway. I’ve done my best to source items (Affiliate links included…see our disclosure policy here. ) and if I couldn’t find the exact item, I went with something similar.

Our last house had a lovely long hallway with a closet, powder room and access to the garage and basement. There was room for a storage unit although we eventually replaced that unit with a bench and baskets to make things a little more open.

Our new house has a small entry way which currently works for us as the boys are young, and not in school or sports. Yet. Wait til next fall. That’s when the real clutter begins. The backpack chaos alone has me wondering where we’ll put everything when the time comes. Here are a few ideas for working with a small foyer when you have kids. Or just lots of stuff.

USE THE WALL

Our current foyer, literally has almost no wall space except for that spot where the deer key holder hangs. Did you notice that he had a makeover after we moved? #spraypaintlove

That deer probably needs to be moved since the boys keep knocking it off the wall when they open the closet door but I like it so it’s stayed.

If you’ve got some wall space though, make use of the entire wall for maximum impact and function like this one from BHG.

Just adding some wall bins can make a huge change to the amount of clutter piled everywhere, particularly kid clutter. You can make your own with these great DIY instructions from Remodelaholic or buy them here.

A hall tree can by a great DIY project and I’ve seen a few made out of old doors. This one from Liz Marie Blog is stunning. If that seems like a lot of work, because it is, you can buy them already made and ready for shipping right here.

HOOKS AND SHELVES IN THE CLOSET

If you have a closet, however small, you can tweak it to add more storage and make it kid friendly. We have added hooks to the back of all of our closet doors and baskets for hats and mitts. The boys hooks are hung lower so they can actually hang up their own coats. We also added a hanging shelf inside the closet along for all the other stuff we collect. Think scarves, library books, shopping bags, and other things that need to leave the house when we do. I love this idea from the Container Store!

FUNCTIONAL STORAGE

If you’ve got the space, a small dresser or storage bench can hold a lot of clutter. I find closed storage works best if you’re not on top of putting everything away the moment you walk in the door. #thatwouldbeme. We’re far to cluttery for open storage. Lord knows, we’ve tried.

Yup. I’m still on the whole reflecting and planning thing even though we’re moving into the middle of January. I had been planning for weeks (months?) to do a year end post summarizing all the things I’ve learned in 2016 but when I was thinking about last year and what’s coming up, I realized quotes are the way to go. Sometimes a good quote can sum things up way better than a 5000 word blog post. #amirite

In no particular order, here are the 10 quotes that nicely sum up what I’ve learned in 2016 and where I want to be heading in 2017.

I’ve fought so hard to be who I am after being brought up to be nice, quiet, and told not to rock the boat. Honey, that boat is a canoe and it wobbles like hell. And, I’ll continue to be who I am. I rock the boat. I burn those bridges. But I’m loyal and loving and will do anything for my friends and family. I worked too hard to get here to ever turn back.

Almost self explanatory. I’ve done a lot of bowing down to “the powers that be” because I wanted to be liked or just get along. I’ve pretended to be someone or something that I’m not and it’s awful. That’s over. It never really worked and just made me feel sleazy. Ugh. Never again. I’m not compromising my values or beliefs or personality ever again to make someone else comfortable. I liked this so much, I printed it and it’s going in my office.

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Yes. Nicely put. You can’t go stomping all over other people just because you finally grew a spine. Sometimes in our efforts to speak up we swing the other way and get kind of obnoxious. Balance is good.

I’m working on remembering this every time I wonder why things are tough and it looks like everyone has it so much easier. First, that’s an illusion. We don’t know the truth about anyone and who they really are or what they struggle with. And second, I’m finally learning to be grateful for all of the adversity because that’s where strength comes from.

Wrinkles, cellulite, and age spots included. And I’m not just talking the physical. This is about learning to be so content with yourself that when someone tells you that you “shouldn’t be that way”, or that they don’t like who you are, you don’t even look up. An arched eyebrow and silence will do nicely.

This may be less of a quote and more of a mission statement. I’m a bit obsessed with the whole #warriorwoman thing and I always have been. It’s probably because of my Mohawk blood. I’m good at warrior. The battles I’ve fought for the boys over the past five years really bring this picture home for me.

This quote really speaks to my belief about my purpose in life. I believe that we’re here to love and serve others. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering why things don’t change, particularly in social work. The past couple of years, I realized that I can make things change. At least on the micro level. So I don’t often refuse people who need me to speak up for them, particularly foster parents who need a voice for the children they care for. It’s a lot easier these days because I’m not afraid of losing my job any longer 😉

I wasn’t sure if I was going to include this one or not but it does define who I’ve become and how I’ve moved ahead with things that people used to tell me were impossible. Mostly it’s some kind of system that people refuse to fight against. Go ahead and fight if it’s important to you. Just be careful not to lock and load for every little thing (note to self.)

I’m pretty good at banging away on closed doors. I stayed in child welfare for 20 years despite being a square peg in a round hole. I stay in relationships way too long and I pursue things that clearly aren’t meant for me. Like diets. Just kidding there. Sort of. Doors stay closed for a reason. Move forward, find the door that opens.

I had the crap experience of watching some mean girls at work this past year. It’s happened everywhere I’ve worked so I don’t know why I’m still so shocked when it goes down. Women! We need to support each other. The old boys club still exists so if we can stop ripping each other apart because someone else is pretty, skinnier, happier, louder, that would be great. You feeling me, ladies? We do it because we’re jealous or threatened by some imaginary thing that we believe she has that we don’t. It’s all bullshit. Let her shine and she’ll make you shine even brighter. Win/win.

Now it’s your turn. What are the quotes that define you? Where you’ve been and where you want to go. Share them with me 🙂 We can motivate each other.

It’s the first weekend of the new year and I’ve spent most of the last couple of weeks reflecting about 2016 and planning for 2017. I love this time of year because it feels like a brand new start and I love me some planning. Following through…not so much. I’m a work in progress.

I also like sharing my random finds and ideas that have worked with all of you. I don’t know if this is going to be a regular series or not. I haven’t planned that far ahead yet. Consider this more like a “Where did you get that?” and “Guess what I found?” and “Pass the wine” sort of hang out. Except you can stay home and wear your pjs. Or you can come here and wear your pjs, too. I don’t judge.

Bullet Journals

Have you jumped on the #bujo bandwagon yet? I’m all over this trend and even joined a facebook group and started a new Pinterest board. As someone with a monumental collection of notebooks and planners, it will be interesting to see if I can make the bullet journal system work for me. I have a notebook for just about every subject but I can rarely find what I need when I’m looking for it. The whole concept of the bullet journal is that you track, plan, and organize all in one place.

Face Serums

Are you sitting? Because I have a big dumb secret. I didn’t use sunscreen for a long time. Like, until this last year actually. Gasp. I know. I was warned. I always told myself I didn’t need it because I don’t burn. Well, guess what? I might not burn but I do age and now I have all these dark spots all over my face that literally just showed up overnight. Right on my 48th birthday, it seems. I went from looking okayish to having to find a way to cover my new freckles. Which really aren’t freckles at all. Here are a few products that I’ve actually tried these last few months (including sunscreen!) and all of them have been helping to fade and hide the spots.

The Clinique was a bit out of my price range, in the interest of full disclosure. I got it as a Christmas gift (Thanks, friend!!) and I absolutely love how it makes my skin look and feel. I have a feeling I’ll be coughing up for more when this is finished.

I use the Garnier as an overnight peel once a week and it’s really helped. The Vitamin C is kind of my favorite right now since it’s so light and I can wear it under my primer and I don’t feel greasy. The Retseliney has been a God send for my, ummm….cleavage area….which has also betrayed me by going all spotty. Ugh.

I’m never going to be 25 again (thank God!) but all of these little products have helped tame the ageing on my face and chest. And that’s a small miracle right there.

Ankle Boots

I was late to the ankle boot trend because I wasn’t really sure what to do with my pants. Not even kidding…no one could accuse me of being fashion forward. But I’ve figured it out. You roll them. Doh.

I’m kind of digging the look so I grabbed myself three pairs of ankle boots right before Christmas and I wear them constantly. Love. Grab your own pair, roll your cuffs, and we can meet for coffee and look cool together.

Happy New Year! Aside from the freezing weather, I really do love this time of year because I find it so motivating. A brand new year means brand new plans, dreams, and ideas. All things I love to do. Follow through is a bit more work for me but I’m working on that. But like any look ahead, I firmly believe you need to take some time to look back to see where you’ve been before you move forward. Which brings us to why I’m here today…

2016 was a really terrific year for me and our family in so many ways. The boys were finally made Crown Wards (terminating parental rights for you US folks) which means the threat of removing them from my care is no longer in my face every single day. The agency also backed off on forcing adoption on us as it really isn’t a good fit at this time. Which means I can focus on long term fostering without fear and it’s made a huge difference all the way around. The stress I’ve been under and constant implied threats have taken their toll. I’m glad that piece has wrapped up.

Although we were forced to move over the summer, read those stories here and here, I absolutely love our new house. This space just works so much better for our family. PS….a few coats of paint can really make a huge change. Everything happens for a reason and all that good stuff. (Note to self the next time I freak out about change!) I will, eventually, get around to sharing some updates. No dramatic room reveals since I’m never really finished but some updates are in order.

New Websites

I launched two new websites last year. FASD Families has been a huge hit in providing practical (and sometimes humorous) stories and ideas for families raising children with FASD. Thanks to all of the readers who are so actively engaged and keep the love flowing. I wasn’t as consistent as I hoped to be in adding posts but I’m plugging away.

Traveling Single Mom launched last spring and I’m adding material here and there. Our travels were much more limited than I’d planned since I went back to my social work career in early spring (part time), limiting the amount of time I have for blogging, travelling, and writing in general. Travel is my true love (next to sleep) so I have no intention of giving this site up. It’s just going to take some time to develop. Stay with us 😉

Which brings me to blogging in general. I love, love, love blogging. What I don’t love is the crazy pressure to be the biggest, the best, and having to be a social media guru. When I starting teaching college this fall, I took a huge step back from blogging out of necessity. It just wasn’t possible to plan, teach, and follow through on four courses and then DIY everything and write about it. The fact is, I’m not the biggest and most well known blog. I haven’t made a living blogging even though it’s more than four years. And as a single parent, making a living is kind of a big deal. Also, I’m pretty shitty at self-promotion so even if I made and shared something brilliant, the idea of being in everyone’s face about it just isn’t for me. Mad respect for you full time blogging ladies, but I just can’t. I need sleep, comfort food, and a fairly steady pay check…so back to work I went after my almost two year hiatus from social work.

Social Media

Oh, social media. I love and hate it all at the same time. I recognized that I maybe had a social media addiction when we came home from Cuba (there’s no wifi at any of the hotels unless you pay for it and stand close to a computer lol) and spent two hours at 3:30 am scrolling through Facebook while my boys slept in the hotel bed next to me. I acknowledge, in full, my addiction to Facebook and Pinterest.

But social media also makes me feel overwhelmed and kind of lacking at times. And the pressure as a blogger to use social media to promote my blogs has proven too much for me. I don’t want to spend hours scheduling and promoting my posts nor do I want my Pinterest feed cluttered up with blogging idea posts. I want to look at pretty things, funny memes, and inspirational quotes. Pinterest became a chore and a responsibility rather than the inspiration board it was intended to be. So I pulled out of all the groups I was in to promote my stuff, scaled way back on who I followed and have just starting pinning things for me again. I don’t care how to get followers or how to promote anything on Pinterest. I just want to be selfish and inspired. My boards are for me but if you like the same sort of things we can be Pinterest friends. 🙂

Twitter…not even going there. It is like junk food for my already scattered brain so I’m pulling out. I might just use it follow really funny people.

Facebook. God, I need a break but I just can’t. I have people to stalk and friends to share love with. And that’s it. If my post publishes to FB, that’s great. But I’m done with the attention seeking, like my post, follow me thing that I’m not so good at.

Instagram. Oooohh…Instagram. So pretty. Except in the interest of being polite and doing Instagram challenges where we all have to follow each other it became yet another site full of things I didn’t care about. I’m unfollowing just about anyone who doesn’t inspire me with pretty pictures. That’s all I want on Instagram these days. Pictures of pretty rooms, flat lays, and beach photos. Maybe some bullet journals but that’s a story for another day. To my friends and family, I already see your lovely photos on FB so forgive me for deleting you on Instagram. Sixteen photos of your kids skating is great but I want a picture with pink flowers on a marble background. No offence. I’ll still like and love all your stuff on FB, though. Promise 🙂

Blogging

Interestingly, I got some negative feedback this year over a few posts, features on my link party, and lost a shit ton of followers over my last post, both here and on my social media sites. That’s totally okay. In fact, that feels great. It tells me that you’re not feeling my vibe and I get that. If we don’t mesh, or our political ideals and my cultural heritage makes you uncomfortable, it’s cool to unfollow. It’s not cool to make racist and hateful comments about me or why I’m not a Trump supporter. I get to delete those types of comments because this is my happy space and that’s just not helpful or something I need to see when I sit down to write for those of you that still like me. I unfollow stuff that doesn’t interest me, too. It’s all good.

I’ve never shared anything about my Native culture and ancestry before on this site, nor have I shared anything political. But I stepped out of the lifestyle blog last week, took a chance on sharing my history and feelings about this past year and I’m so grateful for the love via comments, and emails that I have received about that post. It felt good to come out of the well designed pantry closet and just chat. Haters gonna hate, but the rest of you made me weep with gratitude. Love you all.

Ah. The Blog. I have no idea where I’m going with it, but with teaching college and doing court investigations for custody and access disputes, I don’t have the time to be creating 15 fun ways to make Valentine’s day special. Truthfully, I never really did, but I tried. And if I do find some time and inspiration to create something crafty, you’ll be the first to know.

I have a feeling we’re heading in a different direction around here… more in the moment things I want to share and less planning and stressing about holiday posts and all that craziness. Right now I’m all about taking care of the age spots that have crept over my face (because I’ll be 49 this year and all), organizing my life, and bullet journals. If you like those things, too, that’s great. Love you all madly and I hope we can still be friends.

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Jenna is the creative mind behind 24cottonwoodlane.com and Cottonwood Lane Designs along with a host of other websites. Jenna is a former social worker turned entrepreneur. She currently runs a variety of online businesses, including coaching clients to help them find their passion as well as to start their on online businesses. Her most creative project to date is the upcoming launch of The Single Mom Collective, launching in July 2017. She has a borderline obsession with flamingos, traveling, and making things pretty. She is the proud foster/grandmother to two little boys with FASD and teaches college in her spare time. Read More…